Five Long-Term Effects of a Criminal Conviction
Even after the cell doors open, the consequences of a criminal conviction linger. Sometimes, the collateral consequences are worse than the direct consequences.
Even lengthy prison and jail sentences end eventually. The other consequences of a criminal conviction often never end, however, even for misdemeanors. Contrary to popular myth, criminal convictions do not fall off one’s record after seven or 10 years. Similarly, Oklahoma judges do not automatically seal juvenile records when the defendant turns 18 or 21.
Some cases have worse long-term consequences than others. For example, DUIs typically mean much higher auto insurance rates. Indeed, higher premiums make up much of the average $17,000 cost of a DUI.
A good Ponca City criminal defense attorney knows how to reduce or eliminate long-term conviction consequences. Such an outcome may be possible even if the defendant pleads guilty to the offense.
Higher Insurance Rates
A DUI is not the only conviction that drives up insurance costs. Any criminal conviction may do the same thing to any policy, such as auto, life, health, or homeowners’ insurance.
Insurers believe that people with criminal convictions are more likely to make poor decisions and take unnecessary risks. In fact, in many cases, a criminal conviction could be justification to deny coverage or cancel a policy.
Emigration/Immigration
A DUI, or another criminal conviction, may prevent you from visiting another country. If the offense is a felony, the country may deny entry, under the Immigration Act. DUI is a felony in Canada and some other countries.
Criminal convictions may also have immigration consequences. If the defendant is convicted of a crime of moral turpitude or a violent felony, ICE could initiate deportation proceedings. Moreover, if a noncitizen is arrested for such an offense, ICE could impose an immigration hold, which makes jail release very difficult.
Subsequent Criminal Cases
According to statute, many criminal penalties increase if the defendant has a previous conviction. Additionally, prosecutors treat these cases differently during the plea-bargaining stage. People with criminal records have a hard time obtaining favorable deals. At this point, guilt or innocence is irrelevant. If the conviction is on the defendant’s record, the judge, jury, and any other interested parties presume that the defendant is guilty.
Subsequent Family Law Cases
Drug crimes, including DUI, often make it difficult to win child custody cases. That is especially true if there was a child in the car at the time. Violent crimes, particularly family violence assault, make it almost impossible to win child custody cases. That is usually true even if the infraction occurred years ago and involved a different family.
Occupational Barriers
Many municipalities in Oklahoma have “ban the box” laws. These laws prohibit employers from asking about criminal convictions during initial screening interviews. But a criminal past is fair game in any follow-up interview. In many cases, a criminal past, no matter how long ago the case occurred, is a deal-breaker.
Criminal convictions also make it difficult or impossible to obtain certain professional licenses or operate certain businesses, such as daycare centers.
Driving Privileges and Other Rights
DUIs restrict driving privileges, felony convictions strip people of certain rights, and probation typically prohibits defendants from owning firearms.
In some cases, these losses are not permanent, but in other cases, they could be permanent. Once again, a Ponca City criminal defense attorney may be able to reduce or eliminate these collateral consequences.
Contact an Experienced Attorney
Criminal convictions have lasting effects. For a free consultation with an experienced criminal defense attorney in Tulsa, contact Boettcher, Devinney, Ingle & Wicker. We routinely handle matters in Kay County and nearby jurisdictions.